Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Crew
“What happened to starting with girlfriend boyfriend before jumping into the whole marriage thing?” Lacey untangled herself from me and sat up. She grabbed a few pieces of clothing and threw them on. “I don’t know, Crew. This is all moving way too fast.”
“Whoa, whoa, wait a second,” I said as I reached for her. She pulled her arm away, and a pain shot through me.
“I need to get everything ready for the opening. You should probably go home and get some sleep.” Lacey finished dressing and finger combed her wild curls.
I grabbed my boxers and slipped them on along with my T-shirt. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make this shit awkward. But I’m telling the truth when I say this—I love you, Lacey. I want to make a life with you.”
Her eyes grew wide, and she shook her head. “No…no…how? We just met and…” She plopped onto the couch beside me, panic still in her eyes.
“If you tell me you don’t feel it too, then I’ll walk away right now, Lacey, and never bother you again. But I don’t think you can sit here and tell me you don’t feel this…this intensity between us.”
“I do feel it. Of course I do. But I just got to town. I have a business to focus on, and I promised myself no distractions. I worked hard to get here, and the last thing I want is for me to lose it all.”
“Life is all about balance. We’ll find a way to make it work.”
“How can you just be so sure about this?” Lacey twisted her hands together in her lap.
“Because when I know what I want, I go after it. And what I want is you. Every day. All the time. I’ve never been so sure about something else before.”
Lacey’s eyes searched mine, and I saw her hesitation, her trepidations, her unsureness, and I realized maybe I did come on a bit too strong.
Maybe I should slow it down and give her space.
“Listen, maybe you’re right. Maybe this is a bit too fast. And maybe I just need some damn sleep. I’m going to head out.”
I stood and finished dressing. I picked up the remnants of our breakfast and snuck one last glance at her. She remained silent as she stared off into space.
“I’ll be around if you need anything,” I said before walking out of her office.
As I headed toward the front door, a heavy, dark mood settled over me.
Go get your girl.
No, she needs her space.
Why did you freak her out like that?
You should’ve just kept your mouth shut.
My mind battled with itself, and I wished I could rewind time and start over again. Maybe ask her on a date first…you know, do things the normal way.
As I unlocked the door and pushed it open, I heard Lacey’s voice and stopped.
“Crew! Wait!”
My heart leaped into my throat as I spun around and saw her running toward me. Tears leaked down her cheeks, and my heart broke more. Why torture ourselves this way?
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, this is all just crazy and overwhelming and fast, and….fuck, I’m rambling.” Lacey paused to catch her breath, and so did my heart. “I love you too, Crew.”
An explosion of happiness ran through me from every direction, and I fist-pumped the air. “Get over here and kiss me, then.”
This time, there was no hesitation at all. This time, I was never letting her go.
Lacey jumped into my arms and kissed me with so much love, my heart nearly burst.
Lacey’s grand opening went off without a hitch. All of her employees showed up, and people from all over Appleridge came by to check out the new place.
I’d love to see the place busy and thriving, and I knew my girl had big things planned. I couldn’t wait to be there to see them all come to life.
Zach finalized the office space next door to the spa in the up-and-coming plaza, the first ever of its kind in Appleridge. Zach loved to give me all the history.
Since the small apartment I rented was a month-to-month lease and Lacey had a roomier cottage she signed a year contract for, I moved in to her place two days after the spa’s opening. Her cat, Moonpie, wasn’t so sure of me at first, but she was coming around.
Zach loved to give me shit about how smitten I was and how the Appleridge bug must’ve finally got me.
I couldn’t help it. I knew she was it from the moment I spotted her. With her happy-go-lucky personality and her curves for days, I fell hook, line, and sinker, and I wouldn’t change a damn thing.
Except maybe put a ring on her finger.
For now, the titles of boyfriend and girlfriend would do.
But only for so long before I grew impatient.
“Hey there, boyfriend.” Lacey smiled as she unlocked the front door to the spa for me, and I slipped inside. It was after hours, and Lacey had a ton of paperwork to catch up on, so I offered to bring us dinner.
“You know I’m more than just a boyfriend,” I growled and pulled her close against me while still holding the takeout bag in one hand. I nuzzled her neck and nipped at the delicate skin there. I felt her body shiver from head to toe, and I nipped at her again, this time on her earlobe.
“Says who?” Her eyes twinkled up at me, and she kissed me on the lips.
“Don’t be naughty, or I’ll bend you over one of these tables.”
“Oh, I’m definitely being naughty, then.”
“Lacey…”
“Crew…”
We both fell into a fit of hysterics.
“I love you,” I said through tears of laughter and joy.
“I love you, too. Let’s go eat. I’m starving.”
“As long as…”
“I’m the dessert. Ha ha, very funny.”
Another round of laughter.
“Stop predicting what I say.”
“Stop being so predictable. Time for new material!” Lacey teased.
“You owe me a kiss for that.”
“When do I not owe you one?”
“Good point. Now pay up.”
And she did. Several times over.